SA favourites: Design Indaba

Last post we mentioned the Design Indaba as an important date on our 2011 agenda. What’s it all about?

Indaba is a Zulu word meaning ‘gathering’ or ‘counsel’, and this is exactly what the Design Indaba aims to be: a gathering of the creative community in South Africa, to exchange ideas (the conference) and showcase their work (the expo). It has been held annually in Cape Town since 1995 – i.e. since the end of apartheid – and to me it is a lovely symbol of the ‘new’ South Africa. It has contributed to the emergence of a South African design aesthetic, and perhaps more importantly, a pride and positivity about local culture. The event is, as they aptly put it, “a 100% local-is-lekker celebration of South Africa’s ingrained creativity”.

They also organise a competition, ‘Most Beautiful Object in South Africa‘, which last year was won by this beauty:

Lab light by Anatomy Design, image from DesignIndaba.com

So who still thinks we only make wooden giraffes?

The lamp is designed by Anatomy Design, a Johannesburg-based studio. (In fact South Africa has a number of lighting designers who are winning international acclaim – but more about that in another post!)

Anyone who’s designing stuff in South Africa comes to show their wares at the expo, so of course we’ll be attending! The Design Indaba takes place at the end of February. If you’re in Cape Town maybe we’ll see you there – otherwise you can follow us here; we’ll will be posting about all the exciting stuff we see!